Administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501 as a strategy for the control of Vibrio bacteria in the brine shrimp Artemia

Abstract

The present study aimed to address the capability of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus rhamnosus IMC 501® to survive in seawater and the ability of Artemia metanauplii to incorporate it, as well as to analyse the potential effect of the probiotic as a control agent for potentially pathogenic Vibrionaceae bacteria in Artemia. The results demonstrate the ability of L. rhamnosus IMC 501® to survive in seawater for up to 30 h. They also advocate their capability to be efficiently incorporated into Artemia metanauplii at concentrations of 104 CFU per Artemia after 30 min of suspension in probiotic solution, thereby promoting a 1-log reduction in Vibrionaceae levels after 3 h. These low levels of Vibrio bacteria were maintained for about 30 min after transfer into clear seawater, a sufficient time for Artemia to be ingested by aquatic organisms. These results contribute to broaden the knowledge on the suitability of probiotics as sustainable alternatives for the prevention/reduction of diseases in aquaculture facilities.